Book Review: A Natural History of Dragons

Cover art for A Natural History of Dragons

Author: Marie Brennan

Published: 2013

Format Read: Paperback

Genre: Fantasy Memoir

My Rating: 5/5 stars

I currently base my reviews loosely around the CAWPILE system developed by Book Roast on YouTube. I modify the categories depending on the format of the story I’m reviewing.

My star ratings are purely by my opinion and not measured by any particular metric.

SPOILER WARNING: This review will contain spoilers! Proceed with caution!

Summary

All the world, from Scirland to the farthest reaches of Eriga, know 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. Here at last, in her own words, is the true story of a pioneering spirit who risked her reputation, her prospects, and her fragile flesh and bone to satisfy her scientific curiosity; of how she sought true love and happiness despite her lamentable eccentricities; and of her thrilling expedition to the perilous mountains of Vystrana, where she made the first of many historic discoveries that would change the world forever.

Characters

Isabella is fiery, but different in the way that is so popular at the moment. She recognizes the way her world is and does have a bit of give and take between her desires and the world around her. She has her own fire and fights to keep it, even when she acquiesces to other’s demands. As she grows into herself, it’s cool to see her grow and glow.

Jacob is a rare gem in the setting. He is kind and cares for his wife. They have a really cute relationship and they grow together as a couple, even working through disagreements.

Lord Hilford is a character I imagine as wily and rotund. He is the jolly trickster who maintains his status while still dismissing society’s nonsense. He’s the grandpa that Isabella needed.

Mr. Wilker is… Mr. Wilker. I wonder what his relationship with Isabella might become, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Atmosphere

This book is set in something similar to that regency era where women are expected to look pretty and make good matches. This lends itself to the woman breaking the mold kind of story and, thankfully, it does it in a more positive way, not one that constantly beats down on the men and everything.

Writing Style

It’s interesting how the style is set to read like a memoir. I’m not one for nonfiction, so I don’t know how it compares to actual memoirs, but I think it read smoothly enough to keep me interested.

Plot

Again, this is one of those breaking the mold stories. I think it works well and I really enjoy Isabella and her own struggle with herself and what she wants to do and how hard she wants to push. When she met Jacob, it was a wonderful match and he was just a little too good to be true. I knew we would lose him before the book ended.

Intrigue

The whole time you are wondering how she is going to break away and build the legacy that is the framework of the story. In addition, there is the mystery of the dragons being where they’re not supposed to be and out of season, so we have to figure out why. It all worked well enough to keep me reading and enjoying the story.

Logic

I was really impressed with the way Marie Brennan handled the world-building in this book. Everything is stated very matter-of-fact regarding dragons and their place in the world. Also how the people who would be reading her memoir within the world would know how the world was laid out and the creatures she’s discovered and everything. It all makes great sense.

Enjoyment and Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book and I’m excited to get into the rest of the books. I have my suspicions about where things are going with Isabella and Mr. Wilker, but I guess I’ll have to keep reading to find out.

Would I Recommend?

Absolutely! This is a wonderful take on fantasy and the framing was different than what I’d seen much before.