I am intrigued by the storyline, but I am not enthralled that I will pursued the series. ( )

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. ( )

Written as a "memoir" in stuffy, aristocratic tones which belie that its author Lady Isabella Trent has actually devoted her life to the decidedly not ladylike pursuit of the study of dragons. Growing up an outsider for not fitting into the box assigned to her sex, Isabella fortuitously marries Jacob who understands her "eccentricities." When Jacob is invited to an expedition to study dragons in Vystrana, Isabella campaigns to join him. In the unfriendly, foreign land, the local dragons are mysteriously bellicose and Isabella uncovers a dastardly plot.

While the novel takes places in a fantasy setting, it parallells 19th-century Europe with Isabella likely from England and Vystrana in Eastern Europe. I felt the book started strong but got less interesting over time. It's nevertheless an entertaining story although I don't feel compelled to continue in the five-book series. ( )

Here is the true story of the pioneering spirit of Isabella, Lady Trent, 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. I listened to this as an audio book and enjoyed it mightily, but dude, I didn't like the ending. Boo. Hiss. Boo. I'll read the next one.
( )

A lady who wishes to be more than society allows, gets the perfect husband and becomes a scientist who studies dragons. Now this is a beatiful book about dragons, the love of knowledge and of going after what you want out of life. Normally I am no fan of books written in the first person. There are exceptions though and this book is one of them. It really felt as if Lady Trent was telling me about her younger years and I love her. This is not a fast paced book, but a moving tale of an extraordinary woman and her quest to know more about dragons. So I am off to book 2. ( )