“Marie Brennan begins a thrilling new fantasy series in A Natural History of Dragons, combining adventure with the inquisitive spirit of the Victorian Age”
– Publisher’s Weekly

You, dear reader, continue at your own risk. It is not for the faint of heart—no more so than the study of dragons itself. But such study offers rewards beyond compare: to stand in a dragon’s presence, even for the briefest of moments—even at the risk of one’s life—is a delight that, once experienced, can never be forgotten. . . .
– Introduction

Before Isabella, who would one day be Lady Trent, became the illustrious figure she later became, there was a bookish young woman whose passion for learning, natural history, and, yes, dragons defied the stifling conventions of her day. This is her first adventure, based on facts and surmises, effort and a great deal of convincing those with influence to support her ideas, and into the field she goes, questing to find a dragon living in the wild, in it’s natural habitat, to discover, to learn. 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.

Here at last, in her own words, is the true story of a pioneering spirit who risked her reputation, her prospects, and her fragile flesh and bone to satisfy her scientific curiosity; of how along the way she sought happiness despite her lamentable eccentricities. This is the account of her expedition to the perilous mountains of Vystrana, where she made the first of many historic discoveries that would change the world forever.

I really like these books a lot. I read this one soon after it was published, and have continued on with the series to the end. Well, almost – I recently found a small follow-up short story/novelette, which I now have on ebook. I like the setting, the character of Lady Trent, and many minor characters as well. I like the way Brennan writes. I like the settings. These are all good, but must be read in order. I think my favorite may be the third book, but I suggest you try the first, then go ahead as you think best. Yummy stuff.

The Lady Trent Natural History of Dragons series:

1. A Natural History of Dragons
2. The Tropic of Serpents
3. Voyage of the Basilisk
4. In the Labyrinth of Drakes
5. Within the Sanctuary of Wings
6. “From the Editorial Page of the Falchester Weekly Review (A Lady Trent Story)” (short story)