A delight

Emil Zola meets Anne McAffrey. This is real writing, well paced, beautifully described, deft character portrayal and engaging plot.

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Spectacular

Great story, great fantasy, great narration. I have been entranced by this odd, yet familiar, land and it’s peoples and wildlife. What glorious imagination. Can’t wait to read the next one.

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Totally unexpected

From the get go enjoyed the narrator, and the story was enjoyable. So much so I felt I had to write this! Looking forward to the next book!

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Enjoyable adventure

I felt that the narrator match the characters wonderfully.
I will definitely be listening to the other books in this series.

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2 people found this helpful

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⭐ 4.5/5 ⭐

Audiobook narrated by Kate Reading.

This series has a place in my heart and it's been a few years since I read it so decided to revisit. We follow Isabella, a young upper class women in an analogue of Victorian England as she starts her adventurous career studying dragons. The books are told as a set of her memoirs.

- This book is a slow start as Isabella's childhood is described. When I read this the first time I remember it took me a while to get through but on reread I very much enjoyed it and the set up for what occurs later in the book and series.

- The main adventure of the book takes place in rural Vystrana (Russia/Eastern European inspired region) where Isabella joins a party research Rock Wyrms. I love how Brennan brought the region to life and dropped in details that added to the ambience.

- Isabella is both amazing and fun but also frustrating and naïve. I love her character but did occasionally wish to hit her over the head to beat some sense into her. Kate Reading gave her so much personality and vibrance and made the listening experience excellent.

A historical sci-fantasy that captured my heart again. Would recommend to those who enjoy historical fantasy, a charismatic female protagonist and speculative science of mythological creatures.

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Absolutely brilliant!

I don't really know what I was expecting going into this story but my god it wasn't what occurred. I was expecting some sort of bestiary about dragons but it was such a good story that transpired instead. If you have any doubt about the book put them aside and listen. It is such a good story well written and executed.

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A fantastic ‘fantasy’ version of a realistic naturalist.

A wonderful and charming story brought to life by a well cast Narrator. The memoirs of Lady Trent, excellently read by Kate Reading, captures the essence of someone swept up in the awe of the natural world, albeit a fictional one.

Readers with any interest in natural history and / or fantasy will adore this book. The lead character and her struggles with the expectations of her as a women and the challenges of expeditions. It’s only pit fall is the overly dramatic finale.

For those who study biology like myself. You will find the attempts to understand dragons an interesting mirror to the challenges of taxonomy, ecology and conservation found within the 1800s. The species present within this book are intriguing and not completely nonsense.

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Great performance and great story

Absolutely lovely story that is incredibly well written and performed very well which all together made it a great listen

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so great

I love the way its told through the view of an d woman looking back on her life through a memoir. also the world building is really good and the main character is both not perfect ( which is often pointed out by her older self/ narrator) and very easy to root for. the narration style also in my opinion gives a very cozy feel like an elderly relative telling you in depth stories of they're youth.

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Dragons everywhere.

A very good book, well written and well narrated. I now have 2 dragon series to follow. Anna McCaffrey's Pern and now Marie Brennan and her series about Isabella and her search for dragon knowledge. I look forward to reading others in the series.

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3 people found this helpful