"Before there were field guides, there was one fearless woman with a notebook, a sharp eye, and a fascination for dragons. From ballroom to badlands, she chronicles wonders and dangers alike. Witty, adventurous, and impeccably mannered, A Natural History of Dragons is a Victorian travelogue with fire in its belly."
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Start or resume Shelf TalkThese picks are popular with readers who enjoyed this book. Possible spoilers below.
In A Natural History of Dragons, did you enjoy a strong female protagonist defying societal conventions?
If you admired Lady Trent’s determination and intellect as she navigated a male-dominated scientific world, you’ll love Zacharias Wythe and Prunella Gentleman as they upend magical society in Sorcerer to the Crown. Prunella’s wit, ambition, and resilience in the face of prejudice make her an unforgettable heroine, much like Isabella. The book’s Regency-era setting, social satire, and magical creatures will delight fans of Marie Brennan’s approach.
In A Natural History of Dragons, did you enjoy detailed worldbuilding that brings a magical history to life?
If you found yourself swept away by the scientific and historical detail in A Natural History of Dragons, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell will immerse you just as deeply. Clarke constructs an alternate history where magic is both scholarly and mysterious, complete with footnotes, faux academic sources, and a rich sense of place and time. The world feels as carefully drawn as Lady Trent’s memoirs.
In A Natural History of Dragons, did you enjoy a protagonist’s personal growth amid adversity?
If you enjoyed following Isabella’s journey from naïve enthusiast to seasoned adventurer, Maia’s transformation in The Goblin Emperor will resonate. Thrust into an unfamiliar and perilous imperial court, Maia’s growth—both in self-confidence and political acumen—forms the emotional heart of the story, much like Lady Trent’s evolving self-understanding.
In A Natural History of Dragons, did you enjoy humor and wit within a fantastical Victorian-style society?
If you savored the cleverness and dry humor Lady Trent brings to her memoirs, Jo Walton’s Tooth and Claw—a Victorian family drama with dragons—will make you smile. The book’s witty prose and satirical take on 19th-century manners (with literal dragons as socialites) blends comedy and fantasy in a way fans of Marie Brennan will appreciate.
In A Natural History of Dragons, did you enjoy first-person perspective from a pioneering woman in science?
If what drew you to A Natural History of Dragons was Lady Trent’s intimate and reflective narration, you’ll be captivated by Elma York’s voice in The Lady Astronaut of Mars. This novella offers a moving, personal account of an older woman scientist looking back on her groundbreaking career, blending emotional depth with a sense of wonder and historical authenticity.
