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monetp 's review for:
A Natural History of Dragons
by Marie Brennan
“Be warned, then: the collected volumes of this series will contain frozen mountains, foetid swamps, hostile foreigners, hostile fellow countrymen, the occasional hostile family member, bad decisions, misadventures in orienteering, diseases of an unromantic sort, and a plenitude of mud.”
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WOW this was a thrill ride! It's been four months and I'm still thinking about this book. Isabella, eventually known as Lady Trent, is an original character that's truly independent and wise beyond her years. After reading this book I want to be her best friend. Sign me up for any early feminist dragon narrative!
What I admire about Brennan was how she made it clear that the dragons weren't the monsters, but that people are more capable of that. The pace of the storytelling was rough at times and slow, but ultimately the ending was satisfying. While the ending was sad, it was also a great segway into the next chapter of Isabella's story. I liked learning about her backstory. It was interesting to read a book that was basically a prequel story. In the introduction to "A Natural History of Dragons," we learn that Lady Trent becomes a famous dragon naturalist and that this book is about her personal journey. While it may seem strange to read a series to which you already know the ending, the story leading up to it is fascinating enough to be worth reading.
If you were obsessed with [b:How to Train Your Dragon|352262|How to Train Your Dragon (How to Train Your Dragon, #1)|Cressida Cowell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1431930187l/352262._SX50_.jpg|1484561], [b:Dealing with Dragons|150739|Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles, #1)|Patricia C. Wrede|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1385526967l/150739._SY75_.jpg|1178402] and [b:The Fire Within|312043|The Fire Within (The Last Dragon Chronicles, #1)|Chris d'Lacey|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1362325249l/312043._SX50_.jpg|302958] as a kid then this is similar, just for teens and adult readers. There are a million reasons that this is worth reading. The relationships are complex and feel real between the characters, the dialogue is on point and the settings are gorgeously depicted. Lady Trent is a mix of Merida from "Brave," Princess Leia, Ginny Weasley and Jo March. She's unique and spirited and whip smart! I can't wait to read more books with this dynamic and fabulous woman!
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WOW this was a thrill ride! It's been four months and I'm still thinking about this book. Isabella, eventually known as Lady Trent, is an original character that's truly independent and wise beyond her years. After reading this book I want to be her best friend. Sign me up for any early feminist dragon narrative!
What I admire about Brennan was how she made it clear that the dragons weren't the monsters, but that people are more capable of that. The pace of the storytelling was rough at times and slow, but ultimately the ending was satisfying. While the ending was sad, it was also a great segway into the next chapter of Isabella's story. I liked learning about her backstory. It was interesting to read a book that was basically a prequel story. In the introduction to "A Natural History of Dragons," we learn that Lady Trent becomes a famous dragon naturalist and that this book is about her personal journey. While it may seem strange to read a series to which you already know the ending, the story leading up to it is fascinating enough to be worth reading.
If you were obsessed with [b:How to Train Your Dragon|352262|How to Train Your Dragon (How to Train Your Dragon, #1)|Cressida Cowell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1431930187l/352262._SX50_.jpg|1484561], [b:Dealing with Dragons|150739|Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles, #1)|Patricia C. Wrede|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1385526967l/150739._SY75_.jpg|1178402] and [b:The Fire Within|312043|The Fire Within (The Last Dragon Chronicles, #1)|Chris d'Lacey|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1362325249l/312043._SX50_.jpg|302958] as a kid then this is similar, just for teens and adult readers. There are a million reasons that this is worth reading. The relationships are complex and feel real between the characters, the dialogue is on point and the settings are gorgeously depicted. Lady Trent is a mix of Merida from "Brave," Princess Leia, Ginny Weasley and Jo March. She's unique and spirited and whip smart! I can't wait to read more books with this dynamic and fabulous woman!