A Natural History of Dragons

By Marie Brennan,

Book cover of A Natural History of Dragons

Book description

Everyone knows Isabella, Lady Trent, to be the world's preeminent dragon naturalist. Here at last, in her own words, is the true story of a pioneering spirit who risked her reputation, prospects, and her life to satisfy scientific curiosity; of how she sought true love despite her lamentable eccentricities; and…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked A Natural History of Dragons as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Due to my short attention span, I was hesitant to read this book at first, due to the words “History” and “Memoir” in the title; however, “Dragons” sold me, and I’m very glad it did.

This book reads like a classic Victorian travel narrative, following an intelligent and likable protagonist in her quest to learn more about the natural life around her—namely, dragons. The way this genre-bending novel treats dragons, showing them in scientific diagrams and field drawings, makes for an interesting semi-fantasy world that’s exciting to step into and so much fun to…

From McKenna's list on with weird writing styles.

This is the first of a series of novels subtitled The memoirs of Lady Trent – an ongoing account of a lady scientist in a pseudo-Victorian setting, steampunk-ish but also full of sailing ships and monsters and voyages of breathtaking scientific research into massively improbable things, with a heroine who is implacably determined to prove that she is every bit as good a scientist as the sniffy male contingent who refuse to accept her natural abilities and fierce intelligence and keep circling the wagons against her – because – oh my god – a WOMAN!!! Marie Brennan is always a…

From Alma's list on with an unforgettable woman.

Unreachable Skies

By Karen McCreedy,

Book cover of Unreachable Skies

Karen McCreedy Author Of Unreachable Skies

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Science-fiction reader Film-goer Reader Traveller History nut

Karen's 3 favorite reads in 2024

What is my book about?

This book (and its sequels) are about overcoming the odds; about learning to improve the skills and abilities you have, rather than dwelling on what you can't do. Conflict, plague, and scheming politicians are all featured along the way–but none of the characters are human!

Unreachable Skies

By Karen McCreedy,

What is this book about?

When a plague kills half the Drax population, and leaves the hatchlings of the survivors with a terrible deformity – no wings – suspicion and prejudice follow. Continuously harassed by raids from their traditional enemies, the Koth, the Drax are looking for someone, or something, to blame.

Zarda, an apprentice Fate-seer, is new to her role and unsure of her own abilities; but the death of her teacher sees her summoned by the Drax Prime, Kalis, when his heir, Dru, emerges from his shell without wings.

A vision that Dru will one day defeat the Koth is enough to keep…


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